Philippine officials confirmed joint patrols with the U.S. near Taiwan on Tuesday, an island contested by China. This collaboration raised concerns about heightened tensions….reports Asian Lite News
The Southern Theatre Command of China’s military accused the Philippines of enlisting “foreign forces,” widely believed to be referencing the United States, for patrols in the South China Sea, sparking tensions since Tuesday.
The military will maintain high vigilance, resolutely defend national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, it said, according to Reuters report.
Philippine officials confirmed joint patrols with the U.S. near Taiwan on Tuesday, an island contested by China. This collaboration raised concerns about heightened tensions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized China’s stance that such joint patrols should not compromise its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
Despite this, the Philippine foreign ministry and the national security adviser’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
Tensions have intensified between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea, especially under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Manila’s growing alignment with the U.S., which supports the Philippines in its maritime disputes with China, has contributed to the strained relations.
Recently, Philippine Department of Transportation had announced the full termination of major infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in favour of competitors from the West and Japan.
As per the Philippine Senate, doubt now shrouds nearly all of China’s crucial investment initiatives in the Philippines, owing to economic and political factors. This has led to a new low point in Philippine-China relations, marking a drastic reversal from the six years of warm engagement during the pro-Beijing Rodrigo Duterte presidency.
China’s diplomatic approach in the Philippines under President Duterte faced criticism for being dubbed “pledge trap” diplomacy, involving substantial investments in exchange for concessions in the South China Sea. However, a vast majority of the promised $24 billion in infrastructure projects failed to materialise, as reported by Asia Times.